Concepedia

Concept

self-propulsion

Parents

1.9K

Publications

133.3K

Citations

4.5K

Authors

1.3K

Institutions

About

Self-propulsion is the phenomenon by which a system generates its own directed motion or force without relying on external connections for propulsion. It represents a fundamental concept in physics, engineering, and biology describing the autonomous generation of movement through internal energy conversion or interaction with the local environment. As a research field, self-propulsion investigates the diverse physical, chemical, or biological mechanisms that drive such autonomous motion, the principles governing its dynamics across various scales (from microscopic particles to macroscopic vehicles), and methods for its control and optimization. Key characteristics include the generation of force or motion originating from within the system itself, often involving dissipative processes and interaction with the surrounding medium. The significance of self-propulsion is critical for understanding natural biological processes, developing autonomous systems, and advancing technologies in areas such as robotics, space exploration, and targeted drug delivery.

Top Authors

Rankings shown are based on concept H-Index.

HL

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

MP

Nanyang Technological University

JW

University of California San Diego

RK

University of Toronto

OG

Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research

Top Institutions

Rankings shown are based on concept H-Index.

University of California San Diego

San Diego, United States

University of Cambridge

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Top Venues

Rankings shown are based on concept H-Index.

Journal